Docking system for a tele-presence robot

Abstract

A remote controlled robot system that includes a mobile robot with a robot camera and a battery plug module, and a remote control station that transmits commands to control the mobile robot. The system also includes a battery charging module that mates with the mobile robot battery plug module, and an alignment system that aligns the battery plug module with the battery charging module. The battery modules may also be aligned with the aid of video images of the battery charging module provided to the remote station by a camera located within the battery plug module.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A remote controlled robot system, comprising:
 a robot that includes a robot housing, a robot camera and a robot monitor that move together in at least two degrees of freedom, a battery that powers said robot, a battery charger located within the robot housing and coupled to said battery, a male electrical plug that is attached to the robot housing and can be plugged into a wall socket, and a battery plug module attached to the robot housing that can be mated with a battery charging module, wherein the battery charger is coupled to and receives AC power from a relay coupled to both the male electrical plug and the battery plug module; and, 
 a remote control station that includes a station camera and a station monitor, said remote control station transmits commands to control said robot.